Mapping Tables Automate Database Class Assignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional data processing systems require substantial manual interaction for assigning data tables to application programs and selecting output formats, leading to tedious and error-prone tasks.

Innovation Solution

A data processing system that uses mapping tables to automatically assign database tables to predefined classes and OLAP cubes, reducing user interaction by allowing users to select application programs and map database tables and OLAP cubes to specific classes, enabling automatic data processing without further manual input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual assignment of data tables to application programs is used, then flexibility in data processing is maintained, but user interaction time and error rate increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interactionVSAvoidtime for manual assignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-defining classes with required attribute sets and pre-establishing mapping tables that automatically associate database tables with these classes. This eliminates the need for manual assignment during operation, as the mappings are already in place and ready for use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The data processing system performs self-service by automatically selecting and assigning database tables to application programs based on predefined mappings. The system autonomously handles the table-to-application assignment without requiring user intervention, thereby reducing both time loss and operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual selection of output formats is required, then adaptability to different processing needs is maintained, but operational complexity and error potential increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutput format flexibilityVSAvoidcomplexity of data processing configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Output formats are pre-defined and associated with specific classes in the mapping table before the data processing operation occurs. This preliminary configuration allows the system to automatically determine the correct output format based on the selected class, eliminating manual selection complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The mapping table serves as a universal configuration structure that handles multiple output format requirements through a single unified mechanism. By storing multiple class-to-format mappings in one table, the system achieves multi-functionality without increasing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Extent of automation

If automated data processing is implemented, then user interaction time is reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation of data processingVSAvoidcomplexity of mapping table structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the data processing configuration into discrete, manageable components: predefined classes with specific attribute requirements and a mapping table that connects database tables to these classes. This segmentation makes the automation structure modular and easier to understand, reducing the perceived complexity despite the automated functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mapping table acts as an intermediary layer between the database tables and the application programs. It mediates the connection by storing predefined associations, allowing automated processing to occur without direct complex interactions between tables and applications, thus simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7440969B2Data processing systems and methods for processing a plurality of application programs requiring an input database table having a predefined set of attributes
Publication Date: 2008.10.21 SAP SE
  • US7440969B2 patent drawing
  • US7440969B2 patent drawing
  • US7440969B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Disclosed is a data processing system, such as a data warehouse, having a number of application programs that each require a certain class of input database tables. A class is defined by means of a set of predefined attributes that needs to be present in a database table in order to be used as an input database table for a given application program. A user may enter a combination database table by combining two or more database tables. The combination database tables are classified by means of the predefined attributes and the assignment of database tables and combination database tables to classes is entered into a mapping table.